This is not an easy week to be betting the mortgage on pro football games.
Quite frankly, picking pro football has never been tougher. While there is an elite team or two, anybody can beat anybody. It’s not like the 1980s when Super Bowl champs were easy pickings in August, with only three or four teams having legit shots.
As for this weekend’s games, I admit I feel like I’m guessing a lot more than normal.
Here it goes:
Today’s games
New Orleans at Seattle: The worst playoff team in the history of the NFL. That’s the Seahawks. And I’m just not referring to their 7-9 record. They just don’t offer anything worth noting, outside of linebacker Lofa Tatupu, Mosi’s son. Lawyer Milloy couldn’t crack the Patriots lineup even as a backup. Yet he’s the man. What the Seahawks have going for them is homefield advantage and the emotion (see Pete Carroll). After that subsides, I see the Saints crushing the Seahawks like an empty beer can. If Saints get ahead early, it will be a big blowout. If the Seahawks can keep it close to the vest, they’ll lose by 14.
Prediction: Saints 31, Seahawks 13.
N.Y. Jets at Indianapolis: I believe the Jets are better probably because of the injuries to several key Colts. But I’m wavering over the Jets knucklehead coach, who I believe might get fired if they go down embarrassingly this weekend. The Colts have been unimpressive, despite Peyton Manning’s dominance. Anyway, I feel the Jets will implode at the end of the game. I believe this will be a very, very close game, coming down to the final drive. I see the Jets blowing it, probably on offense. Personally, I believe the Jets winning would be a glorious weekend of anticipation and it could happen. But I think the Jets are ready to end their season.
Prediction: Colts 23, Jets 20
Note I will have Sunday’s picks later today.
